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Although many drivers know that texting while driving is dangerous, many continue to engage in this form of distraction behind the wheel.

Many drivers in Oregon and throughout the country recognize that texting behind the wheel of a vehicle is a dangerous activity that threatens the lives of others. According to a recent survey conducted by AT&T, approximately 98 percent of the participants who texted regularly and owned a cellphone said that they were aware that texting can cause motor vehicle accidents. Despite this realization, more than a quarter of the participants said that they had still sent text messages to others while driving.

Reasons why drivers continue to text

In this survey, there were many reasons cited by the drivers as to why they still text and drive. These included some of the following:

Over a quarter of the drivers who participated said that they could perform several activities at once while operating a vehicle.

Approximately 43 percent of the participants reported that they want to remain connected to their co-workers, friends and family members while driving.

Of those who participated, 28 percent claimed that they worry that they will miss something important if they don’t immediately check their cellphone.

More than a quarter said that when they text behind the wheel of a vehicle, their driving performance is not affected.

Additionally, six percent of the participants reported that they text behind the wheel because they have an addiction to texting. Of the participants, 14 percent also said that they experience feelings of anxiety if they don’t respond to a text message as soon as possible.

Why is texting while driving so dangerous?

Although there are many different forms of distracted driving that can compromise a person’s ability to drive safely, texting and driving is one of the most dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this is because this activity combines manual, cognitive and visual distraction.

Additionally, texting while driving significantly elevates a driver’s risk of causing a motor vehicle accident. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers who do not become distracted.

Many are injured or killed every day

Because drivers continue to text and drive, even though they realize that it’s dangerous, many people are killed or injured in accidents every day. The CDC states that on a daily basis, accidents involving driver distraction result in over nine fatalities and injure more than 1,000 people.

Those in Oregon who are involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver may suffer from injuries that require extensive and expensive medical and rehabilitative care. If you were injured in a distracted driving collision, speak with an attorney to determine what compensation may be available to you.